Plays-in-the-Park season set to begin

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Plays-in-the-Park kicks off this month at Stephen J. Capestro Amphitheater inside Middlesex County’s Roosevelt Park in Edison. The "Little Mermaid" was presented at the park last year.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Middlesex County)

EDISON - Lawn chairs will dot the landscape of Roosevelt Park later this month as Plays-in-the-Park kicks off its summer season of musicals.

All shows begin at 8 p.m. and are staged at the Stephen J. Capestro Amphitheater inside Middlesex County’s Roosevelt Park.

Plays-in-the-Park (PIP) represents a unique collaboration between community theater and local government since 1963, according to a statement from the county. PIP is sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation.

“Our residents and their families have made Plays-in-the-Park a beloved county tradition for over 50 years," Freeholder Director Ronald Rios said in the statement. "This season has some very impressive shows in store, so be sure to plan ahead, bring your lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy theater under the stars.”

The "Little Mermaid" was a hit during last year's Plays-In-the-Park season. This year's summer season kicks off June 21 at the Stephen J. Capestro Amphitheater inside Middlesex County’s Roosevelt Park in Edison.(Photo: ~Courtesy of Middlesex County)

The first show of the season is “Legally Blonde,” based on the popular 2001 film, which tells the story of a sorority queen, who gets a new outlook on life and love when she enrolls in Harvard Law School.

The show runs from June 21 to July 1, with no show on Sunday. Audio description will be available June 23, with a rain date of June 24; open captioning will be provided on June 26, with a rain date of June 27; and sign language interpretation will be available for the June 28 show, with a rain date of June 29.

Next up is the classic “West Side Story,” an update of “Romeo and Juliet” set in the 1950s in New York City, where the young lovers contend with prejudice and gang violence.

The show runs from July 12 to 22. There is no show on Sunday. Audio description will be provided July 14, with a July 15 rain date; open captioning will be available July 17, with a July 18 rain date; and sign language interpretation will be available July 19, with a July 20 rain date.

Rounding out the season is the family favorite “Mary Poppins,” running from Aug. 2 to 12, with no show Sunday. The musical, based on the beloved Disney film and the timeless stories of P.L. Travers, is about a nanny who brings a troubled family together using her own special brand of magic.

Audio description will be provided Aug. 4, with an Aug. 5 rain date; open captioning will be available Aug. 7, with an Aug. 8 rain date; and sign language interpretation will be provided Aug. 9, with an Aug. 10 rain date.

“This season of Plays-in-the-Park is one that everyone can enjoy, from those who attend the shows each summer to kids who are experiencing live theater for the first time," said Freeholder Charles Kenny, chairman of the Infrastructure Management Committee. "I know that the actors and production team will make this another year to remember.”

Tickets for shows may be purchased only on the nights of performances. The box office opens at 5:30 p.m. on show nights and closes at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for seniors (60+). Children 12 and under are free.

Complimentary admission is available to active U.S. military service members and their immediate families.

Proper ID is required when picking up tickets. Tickets also are available for veterans and a guest on the Monday and Tuesday performances of each show. Attendees should call the Parks Office for more information.

Audience members must provide their own seating. All chair backs must not exceed 40 inches high.

If a performance is canceled because of inclement weather, attendees may save their tickets and use them for any other PIP performance at no additional charge. Ticket stubs are valid up to one year after the canceled performance.

Box office and seating information is available at www.middlesexcountynj.gov by searching Plays-in-the-Park. Patrons requiring assistance because of a disability are encouraged to contact Jackie Neill, recreation supervisor, at 732-745-3936 prior to attending a performance.